Summer is approaching, and to escape the summer heat, many Delhiites must already be planning their weekend getaways. With so many places to visit around Delhi, there are two hill stations that stand out for their beauty, charm, and comfort. Yes, we’re talking about Shimla and Mussoorie. Both the hill stations are easily accessible from Delhi, but many travelers often get confused: “Is Shimla better or Mussoorie?” So in this guide, we’ll be comparing the two hill stations and helping you choose the best for you!
Shimla vs Mussoorie: Which Hill Station To Choose From Delhi
Overview Of Shimla
Altitude: 7,100 TO 7,467 feet above sea level
Shimla is located in the Himachal Pradesh state of India, and is also the state’s capital city. It was once the summer capital of British India. The hill station is known for being the terminus of the British-era narrow-gauge Shimla-Kalka Toy Train as well as several markets, colonial buildings, and other attractions. The hill station, during November and December, transforms into a winter wonderland. This is why so many travelers prefer visiting Shimla in winters, especially during the Christmas season.
Overview Of Mussoorie
Altitude: 6,578 TO 6,580 feet above sea level
Mussoorie is situated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Located at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, the hill station is often called the ‘Queen of the Hills’ for its pristine beauty. The hill station, compared to Shimla, receives little snowfall, but the weather here is quite pleasant during winters as well as summers. With a number of sightseeing spots and viewpoints scattered across Mussoorie, it is a good weekend destination from Delhi.
Accessibility: Reaching Shimla vs Reaching Mussoorie
Both hill stations are easily accessible from Delhi, making them ideal for a weekend trip. Let’s understand how each one is accessible via air, rail, and road.
Shimla:
- The Shimla Airport in Jubbarbhatti is the closest airport to Shimla. It has decent connectivity to Delhi, but it can get hampered based on weather conditions. From the airport, the main town of Shimla is about 22 to 23 km away.
- There are trains from Delhi to Kalka that take about 4 to 5 hours, and then the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train that takes more than 5 to 6 hours. If you love scenic, slow train journeys, you can consider reaching Shimla via train.
- By road, reaching Shimla is quite easy from Delhi. Road connectivity between the two places is excellent, and you can self-drive, rent a vehicle, or book a direct cab. Additionally, there are Volvo buses from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmere Gate to Shimla, making it a comfortable, reasonably priced journey.
Delhi to Shimla approximate distance: 344 km
Mussoorie:
- Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Mussoorie and enjoys limited connectivity to Delhi. From the airport, Mussoorie’s main town is about 53 km away.
- There are direct trains connecting Dehradun and Delhi. From the Dehradun Railway Station, travelers must then take cabs / shared cabs to Mussoorie, which is about 33 km away.
- By road, reaching Mussoorie is also quite easy. Road connectivity is excellent, and the drive is quite scenic. There are cabs, shared vehicles, rentals available, as well as direct buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Delhi to Shimla approximate distance: 270 km
Also Read: How To Reach Sethan From Shimla & Manali And Top Things to Do In This Snow Paradise
Sightseeing And Experiences In Shimla vs Mussoorie
In our Delhi to Shimla vs Mussoorie comparison, a major criterion to consider is the number and quality of experiences and sightseeing options both places offer. Here we are categorizing them into broad categories like spiritual/religious places, historic monuments, adventurous activities/places, and miscellaneous:
Places / Experiences In And Around Shimla
| Religious / Spiritual Places And Experiences | Historic Monuments | Adventurous / Nature-Inclined Places And Experiences | Miscellaneous |
| Jakhoo Temple | Gaiety Heritage Complex | Jakhoo Temple viewpoint | Shimla-Kalka Toy Train |
| Christ Church | The Town Hall | The Scandal Point | Mall Road |
| St. Michael’s Cathedral | Manorville Mansion | Chadwick Falls | Tudor Library |
| Tara Devi Temple | The Gorton Castle | Himalayan Bird Park | Lakkar Bazaar |
| Gurudwara Sahib | The Vice Regal Lodge | Fagu Sunset Point | Annandale |
| Sankat Mochan Temple | Hatu Peak | Shimla State Museum | |
| Kali Bari Temple | Elysium Hill |
Places / Experiences In And Around Mussoorie
| Religious / Spiritual Places And Experiences | Historic Monuments | Adventurous / Nature-Inclined Places And Experiences | Miscellaneous |
| Kellogg Memorial Church | George Everest House | Gun Hill | Picture Palace |
| Tibetan Buddhist Temple | Landour Clock Tower | Atal Udyan | Mussoorie Library |
| Union Church | Rialto Cinema Hall | Dalai Hill | Char Dukan |
| St. Paul’s Church | Mussoorie Heritage Center | Kempty Falls | Mall Road |
| Shedup Choephelling Temple | Camel’s Back Road | ||
| Nag Devta Temple | Lal Tibba | ||
| Surkanda Temple | Company Garden | ||
| Central Methodist Church | Jharipani Falls |
From the chart above, you can see that both places have a large number of spiritual/religious places, such as temples and churches. Both hill stations have a decent number of historic monuments and buildings. There are enough nature-inclined activities you can do (sunset-hopping, trekking, etc) at the places we’ve mentioned for each destination. Similarly, both destinations have a number of markets, shopping streets, cafes, and other miscellaneous places of interest.
What Makes Shimla Special For A Weekend Trip
- Cool, pleasant weather throughout the day.
- A number of historical sites, temples, churches, and miscellaneous places of interest.
- More popular and crowd-favorite than Mussoorie.
- Dramatic viewpoints provide a view of the majestic Himalayas.
- A number of quality cafes and restaurants, as well as lodging facilities.
What Makes Mussoorie Special For A Weekend Trip
- Cool, pleasant weather throughout the day.
- A number of historic monuments, churches, waterfalls, and other places of interest.
- Relatively less crowded than Shimla.
- Nearer to Delhi than Shimla.
- A more laidback lifestyle as compared to Shimla’s.
- A good number of cafes, restaurants, and lodging facilities.
Is Shimla More Expensive Than Mussoorie?
Expenses and the overall cost of tourist attractions, services, etc can make or break your experience of a trip. Luckily, both Shimla and Mussoorie are places where you can easily plan a budget trip. Whether you’re a solo explorer, traveling with a friend or a special someone, or traveling in a group/family, these destinations offer something for everyone.
However, as Shimla is more commercialized and busier than Mussoorie, you may expect to pay a higher price for services like cafes, restaurants, and accommodation facilities than in Mussoorie. Of course, there are exceptions, but in the peak tourist season, especially in the summer, you must expect to pay a little more than usual for these services.
This makes Mussoorie a comparatively affordable place, thanks to lesser crowds and a more laidback, less commercialized atmosphere.
Also Read: Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2026: What It Is, Dates, Registration, Route & Travel Guide
Summing Up
So the question remains: “ Is Shimla better or Mussoorie?” If you love a destination that is closer to Delhi, has a quaint, laidback lifestyle, decent cafes and places to stay at, and a number of nature-inclined places, historic monuments, and religious places, Mussoorie is the answer. If you’re someone who prefers a destination that is more popular, has excellent cafes and restaurants, a wide variety of accommodation facilities, and a number of tourist attractions, you might want to consider Shimla.
